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How to Treat Well Water
Turn Your Well Water Into Swell Water with Culligan Water
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Updated: February 24, 2023 January 20, 2021
When it comes to treating well water, the best thing you can do is create a schedule for regular water testing. This identifies any potential issues and their sources, helping you choose the best course of action — whether that means installing a whole-home or reverse osmosis (RO) filter, a water softener or some combination of the three.
Why? Unlike city water, well water isn’t treated or monitored for regulated contaminants.* That means every element of water treatment is up to you — and although well water is generally safe to drink, there may still be issues with taste, odor, appearance and hardness, as well as more serious issues that could impact your health.
Here are the dos and don’ts of well water treatment — plus a look at water treatment systems, water testing, common issues and more.
Treating well water is important for water safety and enjoyment, so it’s helpful to know exactly what you’re getting into. Here are a few things you should definitely do (and a few you definitely shouldn’t):
Often, you may not realize you have a well water problem until you see, smell or taste it. That’s why you should know what to look out for, including issues like these:
Hard water, which causes buildup due to excess mineral content, is common in wells. It can lead to scaling or lingering soap scum on faucets, drains, showers and tubs. You may notice that your dishes have spots no matter how many times you run them through the dishwasher. Hard water can also make your hair feel dry and leave your skin itchy or irritated after a shower.
If you see reddish-orange rust stains on your sinks, tubs or fixtures, you may have iron in your well water. The same may be true if you notice a metallic taste every time you take a sip.
Does your tap water smell like rotten eggs? This could be a sign of too much hydrogen sulfide in your water system — a problem that can occur naturally in your well or may be caused by certain kinds of pollution.
Turbidity refers to water’s clearness — so if your drinking water always seems cloudy or bubbly, you may have one or more issues. For example, sediment or suspended solids can sometimes lead to low turbidity.
Some of these issues may occur in municipal water systems, too, but they’re particularly common in well water. On the other hand, there are some issues you likely won’t have to worry about — such as high levels of fluoride or chlorine — because your water supply isn’t treated by the city.
Although some kinds of water contamination are easy to notice, others — like arsenic — are undetectable without testing. That’s just one of many reasons testing should be your first step in treating well water.
There are a few options for testing well water:
You’ve likely seen DIY water test kits that allow you to take and test your own water sample. While this option may be good for quick, easy results, you may not get the comprehensive answers you’re looking for. That’s because you have to decipher the test data on your own — and, unfortunately, no next steps are recommended based on your specific water problems.
If you want to know exactly what your well water quality is and what that means for your home, you need a water test and consultation.
In our water test procedure, your local Culligan® Water expert comes to your house and does the testing for you, looking for issues like hard water and more. When the test is complete, they’ll help you interpret and understand the results, giving you specific recommendations on water solutions. Better yet, the test is free and can be completed in under 30 minutes.
Although in-home water testing is a great place to start, some potential contaminants need a lab test to identify. Depending on your water concerns, your local water expert may suggest sending a water sample back to Culligan’s IL EPA-certified lab for an even more thorough analysis.
This testing testing can identify issues such as:
Across all packages, these tests cover more than 40 contaminants and come with plenty of guidance, support and recommendations from your local water expert.
Public agencies such as the EPA and Health Canada won’t oversee your private well water supply. Instead, they may set guidelines you can use to make a water treatment plan — for example, these “water quality indicators” identified by the EPA:
This type of federal guidance is helpful when determining how and when to test your well water, but they won’t give you a comprehensive view of your water quality. The total list of indicators and contaminants will depend on where you live and where on your property your well is located. You can contact your local health or environmental department to learn more, but your local water expert can help, too.
If you have well water problems, your water expert has solutions. Water filtration systems, water softeners or a combination of the two could enhance the taste and softness of your water.
Water softeners help remove the minerals that cause hardness, like calcium and magnesium, to improve your water supply. Softeners typically use salt, but salt-free conditioners are available for users in brine-restricted areas.
Water filtration systems improve the quality of water throughout your home for hydration, cooking and bathing. By reducing the presence of many contaminants — such as iron, sulfur and sediment — you can enjoy great-tasting, better-smelling water while also reducing the potential for rust stains and other unsightly household problems. This can even protect your clothing, water-using appliances and plumbing fixtures from damage.
Two basic types of water filtration systems are:
Well water is generally safe to drink, but it can require the right treatment to get there. Because water treatment is completely up to you when you have a private well, it’s important to know what to look for, what your options are and how best to test.
Are you ready to take charge of your well water? Schedule your free, in-home water test and consultation today.
*Contaminants may not be present in your water.
** Aquasential RO and Smart RO when configured with post-filter and Total Defense cartridge.
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